William Henry Jackson, the official photographer for the U.S. Geological surveys between 1870 and 1878, took this image during expeditions through the Yellowstone Territory in Northwestern Wyoming. Jackson’s views were not only printed in the annual survey reports, but also published commercially, giving Americans throughout the country the vicarious thrill of adventuring through the hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone for the first time. The photographs played a critical role in convincing Congress to preserve Yellowstone as the country’s first national park in 1871.